Advice

Rotigotine (Neupro®) is accepted for use within NHS Scotland for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of early-stage idiopathic Parkinson’s disease as monotherapy (i.e. without levodopa).

Rotigotine was superior to placebo in two randomised controlled trials. However, in one active comparator study it was less effective than a non-ergolinic dopamine agonist comparator. Rotigotine transdermal patch offers an alternative non-ergolinic dopamine agonist at a lower cost in a formulation that does not have to be taken by mouth.